Firstly, I would like to thank all the people who have emailed or commented their congratulations in the blessing of God giving us a child. It is wonderful having such a supportive network of friends and family. We are getting increasingly excited. Although, I have been getting flack from certain friends for not being more excited. However, when I jump out of bed in the morning not from the propulsion of the great energy gained from a good night's sleep (in fact, quite the opposite), but from the need of my stomach to see the inside of the toilet first thing. . .it's kinda hard to be jumping around for any reason.

Onto more interesting topics, I'll just mention a few food-related items that are attached to my current state of health. I have heard that most meat-eating females get very turned off by meat during their first trimester and sick days. I have found a good bit the opposite. I am very happy to have veggie-meats in my tummy. Mind you, they must be cooked thoroughly and tend to vary in which item is preferred when, but the concept remains the same. I am perfectly happy with MorningStar Farms Bacon Strips on toast, but prefer a biscuit. Also, I am having increasing demands (not just cravings) by my stomach to down something greasy and far from what is a usual part of my diet. My biggest desires are Pizza Hut Breadsticks and thick french fries with salt and black pepper and lots of ketchup. (Thanks to the girls at the office who made that run to Chili's for me yesterday. Those fries were perfect.) Since Thursday, there is more of a desire for onion rings than for the fries.

I'm not so amused by the tricks my stomach has been playing on me. I pack large selections for my lunches (I am always in favor of bringing one's own lunch to work or school.) because I have to remember that I will need to eat about three times during the day and don't have a clue what my little stomach will want by snack time. And let me tell you, if it doesn't want it, it won't take it. Such ridiculousness is throwing our food budget out of whack. Although I have been proud to do nearly no shopping in the last three weeks because of pure disgust for food, I have also spent more money eating out than I have in quite some time. For some people one meal out a week sounds like not-so-much. But for me, a girl who loves her kitchen and makes sure leftovers go for lunches within the week, this is a huge wrench in my usual habits. No doubt my mother, mother-in-law, and all other mothers are laughing right now and thinking that's what life will be like forever now that I have someone else to take care of.

My very first experience with food and confusion happened two weeks ago. I was stuck in heavy traffic on I-4 and couldn't decide which I wanted more--to go to the bathroom or to get Paco's Mexican for dinner. Naturally, the bathroom won, but I had Paul meet me at Paco's for dinner. The chips and salsa were wonderful, but when my plate of enchiladas arrived, I suddenly didn't want it. Back then (yeah, it really was that long ago), I just kept my trap shut and ate it all. (This tactic no longer works on my body.) Paco's is one of those restaurants that is consistently good and makes dishes like no body else I know. How embarrassing to get there and after waiting in line for a table suddenly feel like it isn't the world's greatest restaurant any more.

They say I will eventually get back to my normal self. It can't be soon enough for me.